PHOENIX — All the star players bear a mark of originality. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki leans forward when he walks. It’s not a John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever” strut. But it’s impossible not to notice his gait, his palpable confidence.

“From the first day he stepped foot in the clubhouse, he had a presence about him,” said St. Louis Cardinals all-star outfielder Matt Holliday, Tulowitzki’s former Rockies teammate. “You could see how driven he was.”

Tulowitzki’s determination drove him to tonight’s honor. He will be an All-Star Game starter and will hit eighth for the National League, one slot behind Holliday.

Tulowitzki is the Rockies’ only all-star, a responsibility he takes seriously. Over the winter, he signed a seven-year, $134.5 million contract extension with a club option in 2021, when he will be 37.

He’s a Rockie for life. If you don’t think that matters, consider that Cal Ripken Jr. was Tulo’s favorite player as a kid. Ripken spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Orioles, loyalty that inspired Tulowitzki.

“I used to circle when the Orioles were going to come to Oakland so I could see Ripken play. I wanted to be that player that kids want to be,” Tulowitzki said. “I take a lot of pride in that. Whether it’s the music I play (for a walk-up song) or signing more autographs, I want to connect with them.”

Shortstop is a tight fraternity, especially among those who look nothing like Pee Wee Reese or Freddie Patek. Tulowitzki’s father, Ken, stuck him in the middle of the diamond in T-ball. His son’s arm certainly profiled, even if his size didn’t. Ripken, who blazed a path for big shortstops, took notice of the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Tulowitzki in 2007 during the Rockies’ magical run to the World Series.

“He’s so big and strong, kind of the new standard-bearer of that position. He combines a lot of different styles,” said Ripken, who received loud applause when introduced Monday before the Home Run Derby at Chase Field. “To make that play he makes on the run, that’s not easy. He has phenomenal skills. I like his headiness. You can tell he’s constantly thinking the game.”

Tulowitzki met Ripken four years ago and did a lot of listening. With his career blossoming, he has formed a friendship with Ripken. It’s not like there are a lot of big shortstops in baseball anymore. The list begins with Derek Jeter, includes Hanley Ramirez and ends with Tulo.

“I do pinch myself,” Tulo said. “For me, that’s still Cal Ripken Jr. He’s the shortstop that started this whole thing for us big guys to play the position and be seen as an offensive player as well. It’s kind of surreal to be able to have a friendship with him. I hope there’s a big kid out there now that’s watched me and gets a chance to play shortstop.”

There’s sophistication in Tulowitzki’s defense. He plays shortstop with his mind as much as feet, positioning himself based on counts and his own pitcher’s strengths. He is baseball’s version of a gym rat. Los Angeles Angels all-star pitcher Jered Weaver saw that trait years ago when both were at Long Beach State. Weaver is the American League’s starter tonight, a long way from his days at Long Beach State when he would challenge Tulowitzki in competitions.

“What I remember is that he was such a fiery competitor,” said Weaver, who had breakfast with Tulowitzki on Monday. “It didn’t matter if it was checkers, chess or any game, he had to win. He’s still the same way.”

Like the Rockies, Tulowitzki has not had the season he expected. He’s hitting .268, a disappointing number that makes it hard for him to appreciate his 17 home runs and 57 RBIs at the all-star break. The Rockies are clinging to contention, five games under .500. They’re one bad stretch from being buried in the NL West.

“I am the first to say I know I can do better,” Tulowitzki said. “It’s been a frustrating season. In the back of our mind we know that we have gone on some great second-half runs. Obviously, it has to start soon. I am going to enjoy this experience here. I grew up watching this game. Nothing is going to spoil this.”

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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